Thursday, April 29, 2010

After several days at the Paris Flea Markets shopping,Monday is a free day for everyone to do exactly what they want in Paris. Weta and Tamra spent some time boxing and packing the dress form....Others went to Luxembourg Gardens.............And the Louvre.......Michele and Val went to visit cool hotels for our clients......But at the end of the day we all got ready for our farewell dinner cruise down the Seine..Always the best table..........and the best friends......As we float past Notre Dame we enjoy the most beautiful live rendition of Ava MariaAfter a fabulous dinner accompanied by the most beautiful scenery in the world, the entire group hits the dance floor.....And finally we end at the Eiffel tower. A beautiful end to a fabulous day....Our tour ends will lots of hugs and tears and Au Revoir, till we meet again in Paris.Tomorrow, Michele and Val stay an extra day to take the train and check out Provence to for our next antiquing adventure.

Day 4 in Paris starts at our favorite small flea market in the outskirts of Paris. This one is very informal and you are literally buying out of the backs of trucks.........and from sheets on the ground.......More interesting, beautiful, and fun treasures to be found...We loved these wall paper samples............Gigi makes her first "mistake" of the day....She got such a great deal on this scale, she "forgot" it weighs about 50 lbs and she doesn't really have room in her suitcases...We talk her into trying to become a "vendor" and put a price on the scale......Once again, NO ONE has a problem filling their bags to the brim....Think we are done? No Way, we get wind of a huge "Vide Grenier" or Garage sale that happens once a year. How big was it? Well, let's put it this way, we walked for over an hour and a half and STILL didn't find the end!At this point, we were still smiling.......But as it went on and on and on....we just wanted it to END! What was on the next block?, As someone said, we were so tired, we were finally "defeated"!We went back to the hotel to get ready for our wonderful dinner at the secret HK, where we had held reservations for over a year.This gorgeous door, led us to our culinary dreams....Two chefs who share dinner with 16 "friends" in their Paris apartment. When the door opened, everyone almost had a heart attack........gorgeous, intimate..The chefs, Braden and Laura greet us with kindness and laughter.........Braden describes each of the 10 courses.............Beautiful, delicious, delicate morsels, each served on a differently shaped plate. Light infusions, sauces and marinades....Wonderful to share with old friends.....And new friends....this is Val with Rose who is studying at the Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School in Paris. Rose was able to snag a last minute spot at dinner because WE had one person cancel due to illness. Lucky HER! If you are a foodie, visit Rose's Blog, for her version of the night, a detail menu, and her adventures in Paris. It truly was a perfect night!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Marche aux puces, the oldest flea market in the world. We hit the ground running....Always interesting fare..........Doesnt take long for our bags to fill........Did anybody NOT have FUN?..........After 8 hours of nonstop shopping, we finally head back to the hotel for Show and TellSome people put their feet up to get comfortable........

Others get even more comfortable.........A small, small sampling of our booty! Room mates Fran and Linda found vintage dresses and enamel ware...SCORE!!! Tamra finds a Napolean era wasp Stockman dress form . Weta gets some great tapestries....

Kathy finds silver treasure!Though GiGi is recovering from a leg injury, she still brings home a stash. Janet finds fabulous prints and a 2 die for mirror that will be shipped home and we will add photos of later.Love GiGi's lucite GGs!LouAnn and Jackie find architecturals and a fox jacket.........Val and Michele loaded up on lots of French Lace, french signs, french books, paper and jewelry makings.......

SOOOO tired but, it continues tomorrow with our favorite small flea on the outskirts of Paris...stay tuned!!